Softwr

Entertainment · head to head

Criterion Channel vs iHeartRadio

Criterion Channel logo

Criterion Channel

Entertainment

Criterion Collection curated films

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
iHeartRadio logo

iHeartRadio

Music

All your favorite music, podcasts, and radio

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only iHeartRadio has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Criterion Channel maximum streaming quality is HD, no 4K or Ultra HD; iHeartRadio ad-free listening requires an iHeartRadio Plus or All Access subscription
  • They diverge on capability: Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, iHeartRadio covers Live radio.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Criterion Channel and iHeartRadio actually diverge.

Attributes where Criterion Channel and iHeartRadio differ
AttributeCriterion ChanneliHeartRadio
Starting price$10.99/monthFree
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, XboxWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers
CategoryEntertainmentMusic
Founded19842008

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Criterion Channel

  • Criterion films
  • 4K restoration
  • Essays
  • Special features
  • Curated selections
  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices
  • Content access

Only in iHeartRadio

  • Live radio
  • Custom stations
  • Podcasts
  • Events
  • Smart speakers
  • Car systems
  • Smart-speakers support

Both cover

  • Account security
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Criterion Channel

  • Streaming classic, foreign, and independent films with curated collections and retrospectivesnot iHeartRadio
  • Watching filmmaker interviews, commentary tracks, and bonus/supplemental contentnot iHeartRadio
  • Following themed programming such as double features and director/actor spotlightsnot iHeartRadio
  • Educational and film-study use due to curated context and extrasnot iHeartRadio

iHeartRadio

  • Streaming live AM and FM radio stations over the internetnot Criterion Channel
  • Listening to podcasts and live sports commentarynot Criterion Channel
  • Building music playlists on a paid tiernot Criterion Channel

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Criterion Channel

  • Maximum streaming quality is HD, no 4K or Ultra HD
  • No PlayStation 4 app available
  • HDCP compatibility issues reported on some devices like Chromebooks and Xbox One
  • No live chat or phone support for customer service
  • Limited library compared to mainstream services like Netflix and Hulu

iHeartRadio

  • Ad-free listening requires an iHeartRadio Plus or All Access subscription
  • Unlimited skips and unlimited playlist creation require a paid subscription
  • Subscriptions renew automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the period ends
  • Any unused part of a free trial is forfeited when a subscription is purchased
  • The iOS app requires iOS 15.0 or later

Pricing, plan by plan

Criterion Channel

$10.99/month
  • Monthly$10.99/month
  • Annual$99.99/year

iHeartRadio

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Live radio
    • Podcasts
    • Ads
  • Plus$5.99/month
    • Unlimited skips
    • Offline playlists

Which should you pick?

Choose Criterion Channel if

  • You need criterion films.
  • You work on Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox.
  • You also want 4k restoration.
Criterion Channel review

Choose iHeartRadio if

  • You need live radio.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
  • You also want custom stations.
iHeartRadio review

Questions people ask

Is Criterion Channel or iHeartRadio better?
Neither clearly leads. Criterion Channel starts at $10.99/month and iHeartRadio at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Criterion Channel or iHeartRadio?
iHeartRadio has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $10.99/month for Criterion Channel and Free for iHeartRadio.
Does Criterion Channel or iHeartRadio run on more platforms?
Criterion Channel runs on Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox. iHeartRadio runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
Can I use iHeartRadio for free?
Yes. iHeartRadio has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Criterion Channel starts at $10.99/month.
What is Criterion Channel best used for?
Criterion Channel is most often used for streaming classic, foreign, and independent films with curated collections and retrospectives, watching filmmaker interviews, commentary tracks, and bonus/supplemental content, following themed programming such as double features and director/actor spotlights, educational and film-study use due to curated context and extras. Of those, streaming classic, foreign, and independent films with curated collections and retrospectives and watching filmmaker interviews, commentary tracks, and bonus/supplemental content are not what iHeartRadio is typically brought in for.
What can Criterion Channel do that iHeartRadio cannot?
Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, 4K restoration, Essays, Special features. iHeartRadio covers Live radio, Custom stations, Podcasts, Events. Both handle Account security, Web support, Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Criterion Channel: Can I watch Criterion Channel offline?

No, Criterion Channel requires an active internet connection for streaming. The service does not offer offline viewing or download capabilities.

Source
iHeartRadio: How much does iHeartRadio cost?

iHeartRadio does not publish pricing on their website. The service offers free podcast streaming with optional premium content for certain shows. A reference to 'Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content' is mentioned, but no pricing is provided. Customers must visit linked premium content pages for pricing information.

Source
Criterion Channel: What devices does Criterion Channel work on?

Criterion Channel works on Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, and Xbox. There is no PlayStation app or dedicated mobile app for iOS/Android.

Source
Criterion Channel: How much does Criterion Channel cost?

Criterion Channel costs $10.99/month or $99.99/year with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers.

Source
Criterion Channel: What is the maximum video quality on Criterion Channel?

Criterion Channel streams in HD quality only. The service does not offer 4K or Ultra HD resolution.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Criterion Channel

More on iHeartRadio

Keep looking

Other head to heads